How to grow microgreens
Fully grown sprouts that we harvest and consume before they reach the stage of young plants are a long-standing trend in healthy nutrition. Growing them is also extra easy. Read on to find out how!
First of all, it is worth keeping in mind that microgreens also need a quality foundation in order to thrive and benefit your health. However, the very fact that growing MICROGREENS is “easy” often leads in practice to reduced care for the sprouts and, as a result, poorer growth or final quality. And that is certainly a pity, because this is a real vitamin bomb.
The quality of the substrate matters
The most common mistake when it comes to growing microgreens is poor soil. This can cause unnecessary problems when growing “microherbs”. We mean mould, uneven growth or even a complete stop in growth.
Also remember that with microgreens you consume practically everything the soil contains. A 100% organic substrate composition without added artificial fertilisers is a given here. And which substrate is suitable for cultivating microgreens? For this purpose, we can recommend for example Canna Terra Seed Mix.
How much substrate?
When planting microgreens, growers most often ask how much substrate to use in a pot or planter box. Although the seeds are packed with nutrients needed for successful germination and rooting, from the moment the sprout touches the soil and its roots begin to branch out, the young plant starts absorbing nutrients from the soil substrate. The answer therefore depends mainly on the herb variety you choose:
- Some varieties have large seeds and grow very intensively. These include peas, maize or sunflower. In such a case, the rule is: the more substrate, the better. Even a 6 cm layer is not too much.
- Varieties with smaller seeds are fine with a substrate layer about 3–4 cm thick; there is no need to overdo it. Typical examples include mustard or broccoli.
How do you plant microgreens?
Most of us gradually find our own way of planting microgreens. But you cannot go wrong if you take inspiration from the following points:
- Think through which microgreens variety will suit you. Do you already know what you will plant? Some seeds need to be soaked for half a day, for example pea, mustard or beet seeds. Depending on whether the chosen variety prefers a lit space, you may or may not cover it with a thin layer of soil.
- Use only seeds with no trace of chemical treatment for planting.
- Prepare everything you need for the job: quality substrate (planting medium), growing containers, seeds, water, etc.
- Pour the appropriate amount of substrate (see above) into the pot. Then moisten and compact the soil. A proven tool is a pressure sprayer (atomiser).
- This will give you a clearly defined and precisely prepared area intended for sowing seeds. It should be as smooth and as level as possible. Likewise, the sowing of seeds should be as even as possible. Excessive seed density in the substrate will mean that, although MICROgreens are MICRO, they will not have enough space for healthy growth. As a result, the risk of mould will also increase. If you spread the seed in the growing container only sparsely, you cannot expect microgreens.
- Next it is time to water the seeds, again as evenly as possible. For successful germination, moisture is more than enough; avoid wet substrate.
- The seed is covered at the beginning and it is also advisable to weigh it down with something. In addition to sufficient moisture, germination mainly requires darkness.
- Most microgreens appreciate being covered for just under a week. In the meantime, they will already have stretched nicely and, once uncovered, will green up quickly.
- Do not forget regular checks of the sown seeds! Remember that they must not dry out. Keep the substrate suitably moist throughout the entire germination process.
- As soon as the young plants are exposed to light, they will turn a rich green, or take on a healthy colour (red, yellow, purple or a combination thereof depending on the specific variety) as a sign of maturity.
How do you water microgreens?
While the plants are still only sprouts, from which the first roots are just emerging, water them in the usual way from above. Once they reach the bottom of the pot and at the same time the overall vegetation in the growing container becomes denser and denser, start watering from below.
Our TIP: Do not forget that when viewed from above, the substrate may appear dry, while the roots have enough moisture and further watering has already caused undesirable overwatering.
If you have any questions on the topic of MICROGREENS, we will be happy to answer them at the well-known address info@higarden.cz.
We also recommend these products:
- Canna Terra Seed Mix 25l (299 Kč)
- BioNova Bio Soilmix 50L (279 Kč)
- Pressure Sprayer PROPUMP, 2 l (249 Kč)
- Everything for growing microgreens
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